After three weeks summarizing 150 psalms and finding 67 Book of Mormon connections, I discuss four overarching psalmic themes which also appear in the Book of Mormon: tender mercies, the hazards of pit-digging, the sorrows of death and pains of hell, and the importance of approaching God with broken hearts and contrite spirits.
Psalms 141-150
141. Set a Watch Before My Mouth 142. Prayer from a Cave 143. To Know the Way 144. Happy Is That People 145. One Generation to Another 146. Put Not Your Trust in Princes 147. Stars and Broken Hearts 148. Praise Ye Him, All His Hosts 149. Beautify the Meek 150. Everything That Hath Breath
Psalms 51-60
51. A Broken and a Contrite Heart 52. A Green Olive Tree 53. None That Doeth Good 54. Mine Helper 55. Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord 56. I Will Not Fear 57. In the Shadow of Thy Wings 58. Break Their Teeth 59. Slay Them Not 60. Thou Hast Given a Banner
Choose [Eternal] Life
Moses concludes his final sermon by laying a stark contrast before his people: "life and good" vs. "death and evil." He urges them, "Choose life." Lehi lays the same contrast before his sons at the end of his life but adds an eternal perspective. "Choose eternal life," he says, "and not ... eternal death."
An Offering for Sin
Lehi and his descendants followed the law of Moses, including offering sacrifices. Book of Mormon prophets used that practice to teach their people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to encourage them to live a consecrated life.
Jacob’s Blessings
God didn't just bless Abraham. He also empowered him to bless others. As we serve individuals and families within our sphere of influence, we contribute to God's work of uplifting all of His children, one individual and one family at a time.
“It Was Not You That Sent Me Hither, But God”
Joseph explained to his brothers that their harmful decision to sell him into slavery had actually helped God fulfill His purposes for their family. Through His perfect knowledge, God accomplishes His goals for His children not only in spite of their choices, but through them.
Unimaginable
Trusting God includes believing that our setbacks and disappointments are part of His plan for us and are actually propelling us forward. Joseph was a slave and a prisoner for thirteen years, but those difficult experiences refined him and prepared him for an extraordinary opportunity.
Abraham and the Posterity Priority
All of God's promises to Abraham are about family. He promised Abraham land so his descendants would have a home. He promised Abraham the priesthood so that his descendants could bless all the families of the earth. Family is central to God's plan for the happiness of His children.
Alma, Probation, and the Tree of Life
Alma reads the ending of Genesis 3 with an assumption of God’s love rather than fear or envy. He interprets the cherubim not as a permanent barrier, but as a temporary restriction that establishes a probationary period—a gift of time for repentance and growth before Adam and Eve partake of the tree of life.